Six months of war: 20 dead in 68 incidents near Hormuz, IMO says

The Strait of Hormuz has been a focal point of the ongoing conflict between Iran, the US, and Israel, with commercial vessels frequently targeted. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has recorded 68 incidents in the region, averaging one every 2.6 days. These events have resulted in at least 20 deaths, 35 injuries, and one missing person among seafarers and port workers.

Tankers accounted for about half of these incidents, while container ships and bulk carriers made up 20 and 15 percent respectively. UK Maritime Trade Operations classified 47 of the incidents as attacks. The majority of affected vessels were Liberia-flagged, with 13 incidents involving them, followed by ships from Panama and the Marshall Islands, each with 10 incidents.

Iran-flagged vessels were involved in four incidents. The frequency of incidents has varied throughout the war, with a peak of one incident every 2.3 days from the war's start until mid-June. This period saw 16 deaths and 19 injuries. After peace talks began, the rate dropped to one incident every 4.6 days until mid-July, with no casualties reported during this period.

However, since talks collapsed, incidents have risen again, averaging one every 2.8 days. Four recent incidents occurred off Oman's coast near the strait's narrowest point, on a route not authorized by Iranian authorities. Iran has sought to retain control of Hormuz and charge fees for passage, warning vessels against using the alternative route.